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There's a guy I'd like to thank
He signs the checks and leaves them blank
He's the one
He says you don't have to walk a plank
The game is rigged, go fig your
Slide show tanked, and your flagship sank
So we're taking all our myths to the bank
So just don't, don't forget to thank
We're taking our myths to the
Drinking a fifth to the
We're taking all our myths to the bank, oh no
If you could just do him this favor
Although it might involve child labor
Join his entourage, give him a foot massage
From Star Search to the Philharmonic
He'll get you there with Hooked on Phonics
He's the one to know, doesn't matter if you blow
No, no, no, no, fact it's just the thing
He thinks we're needing
It's a lukewarm liquid diet they're force feeding
When the words we use have lost their bite
Now they hit you like an imaginary pillow fight
Oh, but it's all right, yea, cause you're inside,
And you're in tight
Deals in commodities of the abstract sort
Buys them in bulk but then he sells it short
Talent, genius, love, even signs of affection
He floods the market, there's no price protection
And when his master plan is unfurled
There stands a handsome bid
On the weather systems, of the world
He signs the checks and leaves them blank
He's the one
He says you don't have to walk a plank
The game is rigged, go fig your
Slide show tanked, and your flagship sank
So we're taking all our myths to the bank
So just don't, don't forget to thank
We're taking our myths to the
Drinking a fifth to the
We're taking all our myths to the bank, oh no
If you could just do him this favor
Although it might involve child labor
Join his entourage, give him a foot massage
From Star Search to the Philharmonic
He'll get you there with Hooked on Phonics
He's the one to know, doesn't matter if you blow
No, no, no, no, fact it's just the thing
He thinks we're needing
It's a lukewarm liquid diet they're force feeding
When the words we use have lost their bite
Now they hit you like an imaginary pillow fight
Oh, but it's all right, yea, cause you're inside,
And you're in tight
Deals in commodities of the abstract sort
Buys them in bulk but then he sells it short
Talent, genius, love, even signs of affection
He floods the market, there's no price protection
And when his master plan is unfurled
There stands a handsome bid
On the weather systems, of the world
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It doesn't need to be about anyone specific, but I think this song can be read as a critique of politicians (or possibly lobbyists). Whether George Bush or Barack Obama, politicians cash in on emotional reactions (they bank on myths) when facts and figures aren't enough to sway voters (and they rarely are).
The first half of the song is just establishing a character, someone politically powerful, a big spender, spouting rhetoric about how everything is going bad but he can help you out. You just have to set aside your morals and help him out too.
"fact it's just the thing / he thinks we're needing / it's a lukewarm liquid diet they're force feeding"
The idea that politicians think they know what is best for everyone is scarcely a new one. Robert Heinlein once said that there is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for something he doesn't want "for his own good," but isn't that exactly what politicians and the government in general do? Force feed us the "lukewarm liquid diets" that they think we're needing?
"deals in commodities of the abstract sort / buys them in bulk but then he sells it short"
Politicians try to use emotions such as fear (of terrorists etcetera), anger (at the status quo), hope (for something better), and love (of country and each other; patriotism), to influence voters and bolster supporters. Because this is done on a "bulk" scale--nationwide--the intentional manipulation and mudslinging cheapens these emotions (selling them short).
"and when his master plan is unfurled / there stands a handsome bid / on the weather systems, of the world"
All this is just fighting for the dubious control of something mysteriously powerful and notoriously immune to human control. Like the economy, the factors influencing the weather are multitudinous, and can't just be pinned down to one human source. But people are quick to equate economic prosperity or recession with the performance of a president, ignoring other factors.
On a similar but decidedly different note, bidding for control of the world's weather systems does sound like the political drive toward controlling global warming.
Also, it should be "child labor," not "child laber."